West Seattle, Washington
17 Tuesday
10:57 PM WEDNESDAY: Two areas of West Seattle have been the source of multiple 911 calls about possible gunshots in the past 15 minutes or so. First, Avalon Way, where police in the area subsequently told dispatch that a loudly backfiring motorcycle had gone through the area. Shortly thereafter, we heard a couple of booms as did multiple others here in the area uphill/east from Lincoln Park. Police are checking around but so far no reported evidence of gunfire (no victims, casings, damage).
THURSDAY AFTERNOON: No confirmed gunfire cases ended up in the SPD Twitter log that we aggregate on our Crime Watch page. We are checking with SPD media relations to see if they can turn anything up.
5:20 PM: In case you’re wondering about the police search in central Delridge, with a K-9 team joining officers in the Delridge/Myrtle vicinity, as well as points east and uphill toward Puget Ridge, here’s what we have found out so far: This started with one man punching another in the face near Home Depot. The victim was taken to the hospital by private ambulance. The suspect is known to the victim. No luck finding him yet.
5:50 PM: Still on the loose.
Thanks for the tip about the response in the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way this past hour – we missed the initial dispatch because the scanner has been jumping with May Day preparations. Went to check it out, and police were leaving, with SFD about to leave too, and only able to tell us that a woman was being transported to the hospital by private ambulance. Next stop, the precinct, where the only note in the system was that it turned out to be a “person in crisis” situation.
(WSB photo)
7:12 PM: If you’re out on the West Seattle waterfront and wondering about all the police – all we have is from the scanner so far: This was dispatched as a report of possible gunfire involving someone in at least one vehicle. That has not been confirmed, and there is no word of anyone being hurt. Police are in the Don Armeni Boat Ramp vicinity right now trying to sort it all out.
7:23 PM: We are in the vicinity – the police response and the usual warm-night Alki-bound traffic are combining for some congestion.
(Texted photo)
Again via scanner, police have not found any confirmation of, or witnesses who saw, gunfire, so this might break up soon.
7:35 PM: Though one person was briefly detained, he’s been released as there is no evidence any crime was committed, police tell us. They also have cleared that person’s vehicle off to the side so Harbor will be open to traffic again.
Seattle Police, according to radio communication, have found at least one shell casing while investigating reports of gunfire in Highland Park. The discovery is reported in the 8400 block of 10th SW, not far from some of the locations where 911 callers reported hearing it – from the 8600 block of 12th SW to the 9200 block of 21st SW. No reports of anyone being hurt.
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
BURGLARY ATTEMPT: From the scanner – police rushed to a residence near 26th/Nevada about half an hour ago after a report that someone tried to break in while at least one resident was at home. They found and detained a suspect within minutes.
NOT SHOTS: Also via radio communications – earlier in the evening in North Delridge, 911 got multiple calls about possible gunfire heard near Delridge/Brandon and some other areas not too far from there. Officers who responded were told by people out walking that “kids” were seen setting off fireworks, so, absent a victim or other gunfire evidence, that’s what they believe people heard.
TIRE THEFT: Tony e-mailed tonight to report, “Someone is stealing right now in the Fauntleroy/Gatewood neighborhood – just went out to get something from my car and my spare tire is gone and that’s the second time it happened!”
TRUCK THEFT FOLLOWUP: More information and visuals tonight on the theft of a ’97 red Ford F250 and white trailer, reported here Thursday. The truck owner says this screengrab includes “the vehicle that dropped the car thief off at our house and then followed him once the car was stolen.”
It appears to be a dark color (green or dark blue) Ford Explorer with tan lower trim. They drove from our house at 36th down SW Charlestown … and took a right on 34th which is a very weird path to take (instead of getting on 35th, main road to highway and South Seattle)….if anyone has video on 34th or the intersection of Fauntleroy and 35th, it would be very helpful.
This video shows the stolen truck being driven off, with the other vehicle following:
The truck’s plates are C95175L; the trailer’s plate is 1261YF.
If you notice police activity just southwest of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, in the area between West Seattle and South Park, here’s what it’s about, according to scanner traffic: Police are looking for a suspect who is reported to have run away after crashing a vehicle near Highland Park Way SW/2nd SW. (added) A K-9 team has joined the search in the brushy areas alongside the highway.
11:31 PM: If you hear the Guardian One helicopter in southeast West Seattle, near Westcrest Park – it’s being called in to help with what scanner traffic indicates is a search for two people described as auto-theft suspects. There’s a ground search with K-9, too. The suspects are described so far as male, white, one in a camouflage jacket, ponytail and goatee, the other in a black shirt or jacket and “slightly unshaven.” If you have any information, call 911.
12:54 AM: Sounds as if police detained one person. We’ll be following up later this morning to see what else we can find out about how this started and shook out.
Thanks to Bruce for the tip about that crash at 35th SW/SW Holden. Police tell us they were trying to pull over the driver of the white car, but the driver wouldn’t stop – until hitting the parked car. No injuries, according to police; they told us the pullover attempt was related to an investigation of someone reported to have shoplifted at Home Depot. They were still questioning a possible suspect at last report.
Five notes in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
STOLEN SUBARU: Just received from Ricardo:
Our 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon was stolen from our house this morning/last night. Just wanted to let the community know and to be on the lookout for it. It’s tan in color and has a moon/sunroof. License plate number ANJ2766. Nothing of any real worth in the car unless someone was really looking to lift a case of Trader Joe’s water and a 20-year-old dog blanket. Has been reported to SPD, incident #: 18-132219.
It happened near 36th SW/SW Henderson. (APRIL 19 UPDATE – Ricardo tells us it’s been found.)
WALLET/PHONE THEFT: Stacey says this happened in a flash at the Junction Shell minimart – her wallet and phone were snatched off the counter, and the cards were used “all over downtown” shortly thereafter. She’s hoping to get the surveillance video, and is also still awaiting the report number, so this is a warning for starters.
GRAFFITI VANDALISM: Yes, we know, this happens a lot, but the past few days have brought an extra-brazen wave south of Morgan Junction, Will noticed while walking in the area this morning. The tagging, mostly on the west side of California SW, included multiple commercial buildings as well as a townhouse building at California/Mills, where Will found people painting it over this morning. He says they told him they had called police, who came by to photograph it this morning.
(Photo added, courtesy of commenter KittyJorts)
(Getting graffiti photographed before painting it over is always a good idea, SPD has said repeatedly at community meetings we’ve covered.) The police incident # is 18-132170.
SUSPICIOUS VISIT POST-PACKAGE DELIVERY: A Puget Ridge resident in the 6500 block of 16th SW got a package delivered around 11:15 am today but wasn’t able to get to the porch immediately to pick it up. Around 11:30, they report, a car backed into the driveway with two people inside, and the passenger got out and started walking up the resident’s steps toward the package – until the resident opened the door, at which time the person “turned around and (weirdly casually) went back to the car. Ignored me when I asked if I could help with something, so I gathered my stuff and went inside. They casually drove off, south on 16th.” The car, the resident believes, was a dark gun-metal-colored Jeep Cherokee, mid-2000s. The person who came up the steps wore a black baseball cap obscuring his/her face, “chin-length braids with maybe a little brassy bleaching at the tips of some,” and loose all-black clothing.
CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL ON TUESDAY: If you have neighborhood crime/safety concerns, your next chance to bring them directly to the attention of Southwest Precinct police – outside of 911 calls – is Tuesday (April 17th), 7 pm, at the precinct (2300 SW Webster). It’s the April meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, and all are welcome. The scheduled guest is SPD Bias Crimes Unit Det. Elizabeth Wareing (rescheduled from an earlier date).
12:37 PM: From SPD Blotter:
A man and a woman were arrested late Thursday afternoon after they attempted to sell stolen tires to undercover detectives in White Center. The suspects also showed up to the meet with a handgun and a large amount of heroin.
Major Crimes Task Force detectives were assisting a victim who had reported their 2001 Subaru Impresa stolen from Kirkland. The stolen car was recovered in West Seattle on Wednesday, but it had been stripped of its tires. The next day the victim located what looked like his stolen Subaru tires being sold on the site Offer Up. The victim was able to prove the tires and rims were his because he had the receipts and the DOT number stamps for the tires in question.
A detective, posing as an interested buyer, contacted the seller and arranged to meet at a location in White Center. The female seller showed up with a male passenger in her car. After verifying that the DOT numbers matched on the tires, patrol officers arrested both the female and male for trafficking in stolen property.
A handgun was visible on the passenger side floorboard of the suspect’s car. The car the suspects arrived in was impounded pending a search warrant. The tires will be returned to the victim as soon as the search warrant is served.
The 25-year-old female admitted to being a heroin dealer and was in possession of 95 grams of heroin. The 25-year-old male suspect was a convicted felon, and prohibited from possessing a gun.
Both suspects were interviewed by detectives and later booked into the King County Jail for trafficking in stolen property, gun, and drug charges. Major Crimes detectives will continue to follow up on this case.
We’re checking into the suspects’ backgrounds and will also be watching for information from their bail hearing.
1:57 PM: The male suspect has felony convictions from 2011 and 2012, the first from a plea bargain in a robbery case, the second from a guilty plea in a residential burglary in Highland Park.
2:45 PM: The SPD Blotter item was updated after first publication with this additional information, as well as photos, one of which we’ve added above: “After the search warrant, detectives recovered an additional 148 grams of heroin from the center console of the suspect vehicle. The gun was a Glock .45 caliber that had been stolen from an auto theft in Pierce County.”
7:20 PM: Both had bail hearings this afternoon, according to the jail register, which shows his bail set at $15,000, hers at $10,000.
10:55 AM: What was at first a medical response has changed to an “assault with weapons” response at 6920 34th SW, which is the address for High Point Community Center. We are on our way to find out more.
11:01 AM: Emergency vehicles have 34th SW blocked in front of the community center.
11:05 AM: SPD confirms that someone has died and they believe it’s suicide but are screening with the Homicide Unit.
11:22 AM: For those wondering about exactly what area is affected – since the same corner also includes Walt Hundley Playfield and Our Lady of Guadalupe – the playfield is open, and being used. There’s police tape around the south and east sides of the community center, as well as the street continuing to be blocked off in front. We will be going back to check a bit later.
12:23 PM: The road has reopened, and the Medical Examiner is there to remove the victim’s body. We talked again with SPD media relations and they say the victim, described only thus far as male, was found on the steps on the south side of the community center, and that they are proceeding with the belief that he died by suicide; officers found a gun nearby.
As always, when reporting on suicide, we want to remind you that help is available 24/7 for anyone contemplating self-harm – call the Crisis Clinic, 206-461-3222.
Don’t flush it, don’t toss it – if you have expired or unneeded prescription medication to get rid of, Drug Take-Back Day is only three weeks away. Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis sends the reminder that the national event is set for 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, April 28th, and the precinct is a drop-off spot as usual, 2300 SW Webster. P.S. If that day doesn’t work for you, note that the Junction QFC pharmacy is now a year-round dropoff spot. (Photo – start of 5th bag filled by dropoffs during last October’s Drug Take-Back Day at the SW Precinct)
Just received from Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner, another one of the occasional notifications that a Level 3 sex offender has moved into the area:
In an effort to keep you informed, and in our constant attempts to reduce future victimization, we want to let you know about one level 3 sex offender that has recently moved into the Southwest Precinct area.
Jeremy Lelko, a 39-year-old White male, is a level 3 registered sex offender who has recently moved to the 5000 Block of California Ave SW. Mr. Lelko is no longer under Department of Corrections supervision.
Detective Spong from the Seattle Police Department’s Sex Offender Detail is responsible for verifying his addresses as long as he is living there.
To learn more about this offender and for additional safety tips please visit the website at www.waspc.org and search by his name. [Editor’s note: His photo and background information are on this page.]
If you have further questions about this offender, contact Michelle McRae of the Seattle Police Sex Offender Detail by phone at (206) 684-5581 or by e-mail at michelle.mcrae@seattle.gov.
To register to receive an email alert whenever a published offender registers within one mile of your desired addresses, go to (this) link.
Level 3 sex offenders pose the highest risk to re-offend. It is normal to feel upset, angry and worried about a registered sex offender living in your community. The Community Notification Act of 1990 requires sex offenders to register in the community where they live. The law also allows local law enforcement to make the public aware about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Since these offenders have completed their sentences, they are free to live where they wish. Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment. Any actions taken against the listed sex offenders could result in arrest and prosecution as it is against the law to use this information in any way to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders. The SPD Sex Offender Detectives will check on these offenders every 3 months to verify our information.
The single most effective means of protecting your child is communication with your child. They have to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch anyone in the bathing suit areas of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those areas. Teach them types of situations to avoid. It is not good enough to tell a child to avoid strangers. Please remember that children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know.
Please feel free to call or email me with questions and/or to schedule a Block Watch meeting if your block is interested. My office phone at the precinct is (206) 256-6820.
Thanks to Jeff Hogan for the video of Seattle Police motorcycle officers riding in Lincoln Park this morning. We checked with SPD media relations to see if there was a particular occasion or operation; just a training ride for the Traffic Enforcement Unit (which is based downtown), they tell us. Not the first time they’ve been seen in the park – WSB archives include these reader photos from 2012.
5:15 PM: Police at the scene aren’t saying much but the black car in the southbound lane of 35th SW just north of SW Webster is stolen, according to scanner traffic, and officers are searching for two men last seen running west from there. A K-9 team is now joining the search.
6:06 PM: No luck so far in finding the suspects. The car is no longer in the travel lane.
(WSB photo, SPD mobile precinct on Alki one warm night last month)
The sun’s out, and the season of long warm nights is almost here. That invariably brings cruising and vehicle noise to Alki Beach. The city has noise rules, but they’re tough to enforce, Seattle Police say. For more than a year, multiple initiatives have sought to see if something can be done to change that. Local community groups including the Alki Community Council hosted presentations by and discussions with a representative of a group working on new technology, and in the meantime, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold circulated a survey with results that showed the level of concern about the noise problem. She also got an item into the newest city budget requesting a report on the noise-enforcement situation. She released that report in her newest weekly update. You can read it here. In addition to explaining the challenges of enforcing noise rules, the report explains, for the first time, the “new technology”:
In a recent meeting with a community member concerning vehicle noise on Alki, the \ individual shared an emerging technology that could impact the enforcement of vehicle noise. The option utilizes an approach similar to that of automated speed zone cameras. As described, it uses air pressure generated from changes in noise levels to detect excessive noise. Pads or readers on the roadway identify the source vehicle and that vehicle’s license plate is read similar to the existing red light traffic enforcement process.
Should it operate correctly and be validated and accepted, it could operationally function as the automated camera enforcement program does. It would issue the vehicle owner a citation. This concept is early in development, but presents an interesting and innovative approach to the issue of excessive vehicle noise. Such a solution would have to be vetted against both the process and the spirit of the surveillance ordinance, as well as community and city priorities.
So what’s next? Herbold’s update concludes, “My office is currently working with Council Central Staff on follow-up questions for additional detail, and with community on next steps and potential solutions.”
(WSB photo)
HELICOPTER HELP WITH AUTO-THEFT ARREST: Thanks for the tips about Guardian One over Arbor Heights a short time ago. We headed that way to investigate – hadn’t heard anything on the scanner – and subsequently learned that they were helping track down a stolen car. The helicopter crew tweeted that it was found with a suspect “passed out inside.” This happened near 34th and 100th (photo above). ADDED 2:54 PM: Helicopter video, just made public:
ADMIRAL BREAK-IN: From John:
Our garage was broken into (Wednesday) afternoon around 3:20 pm. The padlock was cut off. We were home watching TV when they entered our back yard via the alley. They were preparing items to be picked up later as they stole the garage door opener. Hope they return soon so I don’t get tired of waiting for them. We are located on 41st Ave SW North of Admiral Way. Seattle Police were out and took fingerprints.
That’s not far from where a car was broken into a day later.
BICYCLE FOUND: Abandoned bicycles usually tend to have been stolen and dumped. Here’s one Karen just found on a dead-end West Seattle street:
Yours? Let us know.
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – Southwest Precinct police are hoping you can help identify the person in the photos. They sent the photos and this explanation:
This suspect stole several valuable items from a locker at the LA Fitness at 3900 SW Alaska St on 3/15/2018 between the approximate times of noon to 1:30 pm. He subsequently went to Menashe and Sons Jewelers and used the victim’s credit card to purchase a $6,000 Rolex watch, followed by several other unauthorized transactions in the Tukwila/Southcenter area.
Any information on his identity can be directed to the SW Precinct Detective Unit at 206-233-2623.
The case numbers are #18-93279 and #18-94804. You can see two more photos here and here.
From last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting at the precinct:
(Precinct liaison Joe Everett, right, with precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis seated at left)
PRECINCT LIAISON EXPLAINS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM: Joe Everett, the Southwest Precinct‘s liaison from the City Attorney’s Office, gave an overview, starting with an explanation of his role – the face of a “long-term, proactive partnership.” The program started in 1995 “as a thing that happened downtown,” then over time “moved out to the precincts.” Until late last year, South and Southwest Precincts were handled by one liaison lawyer; now, each precinct has its own. Reducing crime, developing a more efficient/effective response to public-safety problems, improving communications are all part of what he’s supposed to help with. Also: “Providing real-time, proactive legal advice for officers … protecting SPD resources by working closely with other City agencies to address neighborhood problems before they become criminal problems.” Overall, “I like to think of myself as a problem solver,” he summarized.
Explaining the court system:
In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
TRANSPORT TROUBLE: This is developing right now – and all we have so far is from the scanner: A Southwest Precinct officer taking a suspect to jail downtown radioed that his car was on fire. Near the I-5 James Street exit, he pulled over, and the fire was quickly extinguished, but it was reported that the fire might have been caused by the suspect pulling out wires from an in-car camera. Right now the James Street exit is still blocked while this situation is being handled. (Update – 4:53 pm, it’s reopening.)
LINCOLN PARK CAR BREAK-IN: A texter sent this photo, reporting that their car was broken into in the park’s north lot between 2 and 3 pm:
We know there was a police search in the park not long after that, but have not been able yet to find out whether it was related.
STROLLER DUMPED: Very early this morning, a texter reported, two people were seen hurriedly loading something into a car at 37th and Sullivan in Upper Fauntleroy, and leaving this stroller behind:
The texter says no one has come back to the area asking about a stroller – if you know whose it is, let us know.
By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Due to technical difficulties, the scheduled speaker for Tuesday night’s meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council wasn’t able to give his presentation on drug-abuse trends, but Captain Pierre Davis of the Southwest Precinct facilitated a lively conversation with 15 or so attendees.
Davis said police have been working closely with prosecutors to try to keep “prolific offenders” in jail and to get them the help they need if drug addiction is what drives their criminal activity.
He said SPD doesn’t always hear about things that have “gone down,” emphasizing that they do rely on community information. The role of social media and crime reporting brought more than a few laughs from the group.
Thanks for the tip! Someone just asked why the Seattle Police SWAT team is in Admiral. So we went to check it out and … it’s a training exercise.
They’re at the site in the 2700 block of California SW (across from Hiawatha) that’s set for demolition (permits pending) for the Admiral Station mixed-use project.
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